When You Make It Into Boardroom And How To Add Value

What do they do in that room where executives in the company gather? What do they discuss in the Executive Retreat? Simply, what happens in boardrooms of companies? What makes the people who are there that special to be there?

First, those people are not really over-special even though someone has qualified them to be there. They are largely like most people, including yourself. The issue is that the door is very narrow that only a few can fit through.  And when you do get in, you will be asking yourself why it took long to get in.

I have written how to push, and what to do to get in in other posts. I want to focus on what you can do when you are given that rare opportunity. Yes, you are in and what next? The first thing is this: you must do everything necessary to listen, and understand, so that when you speak, your words will add value. To command respect in those rooms, it is not how much you speak that matters, but how valuable your words are.

More so, understand that for you to have been invited, there is something of value the group sees in you. This does imply that you MUST talk. This is not a time to be afraid and shy. So, in as much as you are expected to listen and understand, you are expected to contribute, and in a measured, nuanced, value-driven messaging, demonstrate why you are the subject matter expert in your space, and the right person for that seat they provided you.

Above everything, do your best to know why that meeting is being held. Why? The chairman or organizer has a specific friction he/she wants answers for through that meeting. If you do understand and can help to get to those answers, career ascension has started. Is this meeting focusing on growth or is the focus on risk management? Or simply, what is the real issue these people have gathered to examine? It comes down to the value you deliver when you are in.

Comment on Feed

Comment: Well said, Prof. However, I disagree with the “you must talk” part. That mindset can lead to repetitive or superficial contributions. Speaking should come from a place of wisdom and understanding; otherwise, one comment could expose a lack of depth. I fully agree with your point on understanding the goal and concept of the meeting—that’s where meaningful contributions begin. Ofcourse you know at such meetings there are people who like the sound of their voice and love to talk to hear themselves. For balance, “you must speak” only when your point is well-informed and relevant.

My Response: You wrote “I disagree”. I am not sure you did. It is impossible to be an expert in a 3-hour meeting and at the end, you have nothing to say because everyone has said what you wanted to say. I had already noted that you must speak in a value-driven nuanced way, not just speaking because the air is free. 

Reading your note, it does seem you only want that person to speak if that talk will add value.

That was my point as stated. Not sure where you disagree.  But you do posit that it is possible after 3 hours, someone, an expert, will be so disintermediated by others that he/she may not have anything to say. That would be a bad outcome for that person. In a strategic framework, you are pushing for outcomes to drive your business model. 

Wisdom comes when you harness what others have said and expand the thesis either by looking at a new market, industry, etc in a way that helps the meeting. But do not come out without speaking because if you have that habit, that invitation will stop. Yes, you MUST talk and talk value.

Comment 1R: Ndubuisi Ekekwe Thank you for your response, dear Prof. I understand your point better now, and I agree that speaking value-driven contributions is crucial. My initial disagreement was not with the idea of contributing as an expert but with the blanket notion of “you must talk.” My concern was about avoiding speaking for the sake of it, as this can diminish credibility.

That said, I appreciate your emphasis on harnessing the ideas of others to add value strategically. It’s a powerful approach that ensures relevance and depth in contributions. I completely agree that staying silent consistently could lead to missed opportunities and even exclusion from future invitations. The key, as you’ve rightly noted, is to ensure every contribution enhances the discussion.

In 2025, get into a “community” with leaders

Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA (Feb 10 - May 3, 2025), and join Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe and our global faculty; click here.